Initial report finds no cause for fatal plane crash near IU

Final report on crash that killed SB woman, 4 others could take up to 18 months.

Final report on crash that killed SB woman, 4 others could take up to 18 months.

April 28, 2006

BLOOMINGTON, Ind. (AP) -- The preliminary investigation into last week's plane crash that killed five Indiana University students did not find any mechanical problems with the plane, according to a report released Wednesday. The National Transportation Safety Board report said investigators checked engine and flight control parts, along with fuel tanks and fuel lines, that were found intact after the crash and found them all in working order. Several items, including the wings, an engine vacuum pump and the engine monitor were damaged in the crash, the report said. The single-engine Cessna crashed late April 20, about a half-mile short of a runway at Monroe County Airport. Those killed included the pilot, Georgina Joshi, 24, of South Bend, and passengers Zachary Novak, 25, of Anderson; Robert Clayton Samels, 24, of Medina, Ohio; Garth Eppley, 25, of Wabash, Ind.; and Chris Bates Carducci, 28, of Monroe, Mich. All were graduate students in IU's music school and were returning to Bloomington after concert rehearsal in West Lafayette. NTSB investigator Ed Malinowski said the preliminary report would be sent to a review board, which would then be responsible for releasing a final report -- including a determined cause. That process could take up to 18 months. Bob Burke, owner of BMG Aviation at the Monroe County Airport, said investigators would conduct more sensitive tests of the airplane's parts. "There's a ton of stuff they have to go after," Burke said after reviewing the report. "They're not speculating one way or the other. Until they are absolutely, positively sure, they will not hint one way or the other." The NTSB report said the pilot made a radio call at 11:43 p.m., telling flight controllers at the Terre Haute airport that the plane was about six miles from the Bloomington airport and approaching to land. A flight controller told the pilot the radio frequency for flights at the Bloomington airport, after which the pilot responded, "Thank you, sir." That was the last communication controllers had with the plane, the report said. The Monroe County Sheriff's Department received its first calls of a possible plane crash about 11:45 p.m., and the wreckage was found about four hours later.